Ng Su Ann

There’s no such thing as bad pizza, so the saying goes, but making a good pizza requires patience, skilled hands and a generous amount of quality toppings. Here are some of the best pizza joints in KL to visit when you just need that slice of heaven.   RECOMMENDED: 20 things you have to eat in Kuala Lumpur and The best bars in Kuala Lumpur right now

For great restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, we’re spoiled for choice. After all, eating is practically a national pastime. From high-end fine dining restaurants to great neighbourhood joints, everywhere on our list serves up amazing food that you’ll enjoy. After much debate and delectation, we have compiled this updated and definitive list of Kuala Lumpur’s current greatest dining spots. Dig in! RECOMMENDED: The best bars in Kuala Lumpur and Best sushi restaurants in KL

Here in Kuala Lumpur, we sometimes take our green spaces for granted. No more! Our best-of guide includes hikes for all ages and fitness levels and features everything from views of the city skyline to birding hotspots, and a secret (sort of) lake in Shah Alam.  Pack a water bottle, snacks, and sunscreen. Let’s get trekking! RECOMMENDED: The best parks in KL and The best running trails in the city

You don’t have to travel too far for a great beach getaway. Consider this list for your next relaxing escape. Below, some of the best beach resorts near Kuala Lumpur with rooms and villas overlooking the sea, and only a short stroll away, stretches of soft sand, and an abundance of water activities.  There's something for everyone at these properties, whether you're planning a family get-together or you prefer to focus on poolside mai tais with a plus one. The best part: they’re all only a couple hours’ drive away from Kuala Lumpur (give or take maybe a ferry or speedboat transfer). READ MORE: The absolute best hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Best city hotels and hostels under RM200 in KL

Indie rock, acoustic folk, jazz – think you can’t find them in KL? These top live music venues play all that and more.

Take the pressure off Valentine’s Day with our list of things to do for the weekend. Love is all around – from a glam night out at the orchestra (lovebirds, we’re looking at you), a Galentine’s party at the club with your besties, or speed-dating for the singles.  It’s not too late to book a dinner resy for two, too. Check out our list of the most romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. READ MORE: Best spas and massages in KL and Best luxury hotels in KL

From upscale restaurants offering breathtaking city views from 48 floors up to sultry venues serving up vibrant Sri Lankan plates, these are some of the best places in town for date night – and a certain February holiday.  READ MORE: The best restaurants in KL and The best bars in KL

A quick guide to knowing your kopi-c from your kopi-peng. You may now order like a pro.

If you're looking for a boutique stay in Malaysia's vibrant capital, look no further. Kuala Lumpur is the one. And it has so much to offer. We say skip the fancy hotels (and even fancier prices) for a chic weekend getaway in these small, boutique hotels in KL instead. Trust us, it's well worth the experience. From restored houses to minimalistic bed and breakfasts and decidedly Malaysian hotels paying tribute to local culture, these stylish hotels guarantee an unconventional stay you won't forget. Ready to start packing your bags yet? Great, let's take a look.RECOMMENDED: 👨‍👩‍👧The best family-friendly hotels in Malaysia 🛏Rent out the best Airbnb's in the capital🇲🇾Make the most of your stay in Kuala Lumpur Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

The best workout is the one you do. Pick a workout you’re going to love — and most importantly, stick with. If you don’t know where to start, we’ve done some of the work for you (but the rest is up to you!): these Kuala Lumpur boutique studios and gyms have affordable classes and workouts under RM100.  Plank! Punch! Spin! Stretch! From core-shaking pilates to challenging full-body cardio and targeted strength training, these are the best gyms and fitness classes in the city guaranteed to get hearts racing. READ MORE: Best running trails in Kuala Lumpur and The best shopping malls in KL

Kuala Lumpur is a city that loves its coffee – what started from foamy kopitiam-style kopi has now evolved into a specialised field of imported beans, serious roasters and award-winning pours. However, this piece isn’t just about who has the best drip coffee or authentic bakes, it’s about which cafés tick all the boxes – great brunch, delicious drinks, solid service and a place where one can spend a few enjoyable hours. We’ve done the homework to bring you a guide to the best cafes in KL. You’re welcome.RECOMMENDED: Best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and The best halal restaurants in Kuala Lumpur

When you're looking for a quick city getaway in the city and a break from routine, check out these accommodation in the city that are close to many things to do, cosy and run by friendly staff and often populated by cool guests. Plus, rates are affordable – win win.RECOMMENDED: The absolute best hotels in Kuala Lumpur and the 11 best family-friendly hotels in Malaysia

In Chow Kit, Heritage Pizza is the spot for pizza, though you wouldn’t know it from its aesthetics that run raw; all brick and metal, lightened with white tables inside. Antonio ‘Tony’ Delachi is proudly Italian, dishing out pizzas like mama used to make. Here, dough is left to proof for 48 hours, then into the Veronese stone oven it goes.  Three to try: Pay homage to the quintessential Italian pizza with ‘Margherita’; ‘Calabrese’ is a spicy chef’s signature featuring nduja, smoked pancetta, and broccoli and chillies; the salty, peppery ‘Bresaola e Rucola’ has air-dried salted beef with rucola and whole burrata. Pizzas from RM30 to RM88.

Mokky’s is on a mission to be Malaysia’s go-to pizza shop. Its founder, Mohd. Shahmi a.k.a. Mokky, fell head over heels for pizza while studying engineering in the U.S. of A. During the pandemic, he taught himself to make pizzas from watching YouTube videos and tutorials; and today, he operates four Mokky’s shops in the Klang Valley offering New York-style pizza.  Three to try: ‘Holy Pep!’ has beef pepperoni, mozzarella, and basil on Italian tomato sauce base; ‘Alfredo Chicken’ is a best-seller featuring baked chicken and spinach with house-made alfredo sauce; and ‘Fake Margherita’ is a classic crowd-pleaser. If you’re spoilt for choice, opt for a half-and-half.  12-inch pizzas from RM32 to RM48; 16-inch pizzas from RM58 to RM86.

Happy Mansion has not one, but two ’za joints. In the Neapolitan style, Alan Goh’s Round Pizza Napoletana boasts airy, fluffy crusts on pizzas that arrive unsliced — you can cut your pizzas with scissors, a technique rooted in pizza tradition. The atmosphere is impeccable for a casual night out in the Klang Valley; the menu is rounded up with craft beers and wines, plus equally excellent starters and desserts.  Three to try: If it’s your first time, order the ‘Margherita’, available with your choice of cow’s milk cheese or Italian D.O.P. bufala cheese. ‘Diavola’ is a best-seller featuring beef or pork pepperoni, fior di latte, parmesan, and habanero chili and fermented habanero salsa. Alan’s favourite is the pesto-based ‘Mortadella e Burrata’ topped with mortadella and a ball of burrata.  Pizzas from RM40 to 119.

What began as a pandemic hobby is now a full-fledged pizzeria with a permanent home at Bamboo Hills. The duo behind Pizza Duo, Aina Ghani and Mark Lee, are obsessed with pizza — so much so that for one of Aina’s birthdays, Mark surprised his wife with a pizza road trip to Piedmont, where they ate at pizzerias rated 90 and above on the Gambero Rosso guide. Today, they serve up some of the best Neapolitan-style pizzas in the city; dough is double-fermented for more than 72 hours, then hand-scratched into a pizza topped with fior di latte and tomatoes sourced from Naples.  Three to try: ‘Margherita 2.0’ features San Marzano tomatoes, semi-dried cherry tomatoes, fior di latte, parmigiano reggiano, and basil oil; ‘Spicy Pep’ has spicy beef pepperoni, San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, parmigiano reggiano, plus red onions and chili honey; all-time best-seller ‘Shroomami’ is made with parmigiano fondue, truffle salsa, portobellini mushrooms, ricotta and truffle oil. Pizzas from RM28 to 72.

In an overly-saturated dough market, choosing the perfect ’za is harder than you think — but at Alta Pizza, you’re in good hands, the same hands behind sister projects Alta Café and Studio Restaurant. At the heart of the kitchen is a Stefano Ferrara brick oven imported from Italy; it reaches 400 degrees Celsius resulting in perfect pizzas in just 80 to 90 seconds. Alta Pizza is a celebration of all things “Italian-ish”; beyond pizza, the restaurant serves a focussed snack menu alongside snacks, small plates, pastas, and classic aperitifs and natural wines.  Three to try: The house chorizo, fig and pecorino pizza is perhaps the most eaten in Alta Pizza, finished with hot honey; the mushroom, fontina truffle cream and hot sauce pizza is a meatless option boasting big flavours; and the escargot pizza with garlic butter, fior di latte, lemon, and chives is a can’t-miss.  Pizzas from RM48 to RM52.

From the team behind My Burger Lab comes My Pizza Lab. At any of the chain’s four outlets in the Klang Valley, find pies with creative toppings and local flavours layered on crispy crusts; the menu is chaotic in theory, but extremely delicious in reality. (Are you foodie enough to remember when, in the ultimate meeting of eastern and western cuisines, the mad lads at My Pizza Lab courted controversy with boba pizza? Note: It’s no longer on the menu to “make way for more exciting pizzas”.) Three to try: ‘Huat The Duck’ is a signature featuring smoked duck slices, torched mandarin oranges and onion jam; ‘Mary’s Lamb’ has braised lamb, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella on sourdough; and ‘Honey Truffle Bella’ with honey creamed mushrooms, sautéed mushrooms, and truffle.  7-inch pizzas from RM14 to RM20; 10-inch pizzas from RM22 to RM38.

When Proof opened back in ’17, it was an instant hit. (The pizzeria was even awarded ‘Best New Opening’ by Time Out KL’s Food & Drink Awards that November, as chosen by our critics.) Though it has expanded to also offer pastas next door at its sister outlet Grano, pizza is still the draw; it’s made with a sourdough base proofed for 24 hours, then wood-fired, framed by a crust that’s crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.  Three to try: ‘Carné’ is a meat lover’s dream on a pie with salami, pancetta and minced chicken; ‘Umbrian Black Truffle Pizza’ has mixed mushrooms and black truffle paste with mozzarella, taleggio and mascarpone; and ‘Pizza Parma con Rucola’ is topped with Italian dry-cured ham, olives, cherry tomatoes, rockets, and cheeses. Upon request, all pizzas can be made calzone-style. Pizzas from RM32 to RM64.

Sin Tong Hong was founded in Sitiawan, Perak, back in ’99. A few years back, the second-generation family-run kopitiam set up shop in the Klang Valley. Famed for pulled kopi and springy noodles made from scratch, must-tries are: a comforting cup of hot kopi or teh, noodles with slow-cooked chicken curry, and nasi lemak served alongside ayam goreng berempah, all made from family recipes. In addition to the tried-and-true kopitiam staple kaya and butter toast with half-boiled eggs, other bite-sized offerings include cucur udang, pai tee, and popiah.

Guan’s is at the forefront of a new wave of kopitiams boasting classic charm and contemporary tastes. Kopi and coffee, toast and croissant, Guan’s has something for everyone. Here, you’ll find kopitiam staples such as cham, kopi, kaya (double-boiled over low flame for eight hours) and butter toast, Guan’s Chicken Chop served with coleslaw and potato wedges, and meehoon siam with sambal sotong. But that’s not all; the ‘modern’ section of the menu has specialty coffee by its sister roastery Brew & Bread (plus the option to upgrade to oat milk), coney sausage and fries, pasta (sambal fettuccine served with fried chicken, anyone?), and more. There are a number of croissants and traditional toasts to choose from, dunked into chicken curry or half-boiled eggs, stuffed with egg, ham and cheese, or topped with chocolate and peanut butter.

Word of advice: bring friends. At Luck Bros Kopi, formerly known as Luckin Kopi, the most sensational items are the most ordered: the ‘5 States Kopi’ is five cups of kopi in the styles of Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Melaka and Johor. (Well, if we’re going to be sticklers about it, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh are technically capitals, not states, but hey.) The Milo tower kaw kaw and the cheesy mie sedaap, served on a hot skillet atop a mini stove, would be fun for the ’gram, though our go-to order is a cup of white coffee and a plate of nasi lemak with ayam goreng berempah. That, or the salted egg chicken chop with rice.  For sharing (we said bring friends!): curry puffs, fried mantau with condensed milk, and an order of buns with six fillings of kaya, lemon, matcha, Nutella, peanut and yam. If there’s still room for dessert, try the teh tarik ais kacang or the Milo Volcano ais kacang with chocoluck and kek lapis. There are a few locations all over the Klang Valley, but the one in Petaling Street allows you to dine al fresco at its Kwai Chai Hong alleyway with a view of the Merdeka 118.

If it’s good enough for The Malaysia Book of Records, it’s good enough for us. Believe the hype and brave the queue for Oriental Kopi’s egg tart, acclaimed as the “thickest” and “most sold” in the country: all 128 layers making up a 6mm crust with a caramelised golden egg filling. Aside, classics such as kaya and butter toast and polo bun (this, too, is the “most number of polo buns sold” per The Malaysia Book of Records) served with a big slab of butter and a drizzle of condensed milk are favourites throughout the day, as are nasi lemak fringed with cucumber slices, sambal, roasted peanuts and ikan bilis, plus a crispy fried chicken. Also on the menu: Hainanese chicken rice, hor fun, mee siam, and more.  If you only order one drink, make it a cup of strong Oriental Kopi — or try the Kopi Butter, which is exactly as it sounds: a slab of melt-in-your-mouth butter is added to a cup of Oriental Kopi, resulting in creamy, silky sips.

For those in the know, Ho Kow Hainam was a true hidden gem in Lorong Panggung with only a couple of tables spilling out on the street. Of course, in the early days, it was named Soon Kee for Ho Kow’s father, who set up the stall in ’56 selling Hainanese snacks and treats such as tea, soft-boiled eggs and toasts. In 2018, Ho Kow received an eviction order — and decided to move out of their sixty-plus-years address to a shophouse on the main street of Jalan Balai Polis, only a stone’s throw away. It proved to be a blessing in disguise. Ho Kow Hainam has always been well-loved by locals, but since its Jalan Balai Polis opening (the nostalgia-evoking old school décor helps, certainly), it has become something of a food destination in Chinatown. Be warned: a 30-minute wait is not uncommon. Today, the kopitiam is in the very capable hands of Ho Kow’s daughter, Ho Sook Chan and her children, though Ho Kow himself is still a regular sighting at the shop. For kopi, everything from cham to kopi c is available. Order a kaya and butter toast or bun to pair, then load up on nasi lemak ayam goreng.